Under Attack: How Medics Died Trying to Help Gaza's Casualties

Clancy Chassay

Monday, March 23, 2009

GAZA, Israel -- Medical staff and ambulance drivers who attempted to assist casualties of the Israeli invasion of Gaza have told the Guardian that they were attacked by Israeli forces while trying to carry out their job.

The offensive left 16 medics dead. Nearly all of them were killed by Israeli fire while trying to save lives, and many more were wounded. According to the World Health Organisation, more than half of Gaza's 27 hospitals were damaged by Israeli bombs. Two clinics were completely destroyed and 44 others received damage.

Dr Moawa Hassenein, the head of Gaza's Red Crescent ambulance teams, said it was the worst assault he had seen on ambulance workers: "I have never seen anything like what happened Never in all my years have I seen this many health workers and facilities targeted in this way."